Anyone having success with USB to serial converters for their SX-Keys?

CarlC

I frequently program SX chips in the field with my laptop. Unfortunately it doesn't have a serial port so I use a Baoyu manufactured USB-Serial adaptor (oriental no name?). I regularly have connection problems which can be overcome by either hitting the "program" button again or unplugging and replugging the USB connection.

I have to confess that I also modfied my SX-Key a little. I soldered a 2" wire header to replace the rigid connection. I've checked my connections and I'm sure they're good. Could I have caused an issue with an oscillator or something?

_djm

I use a USB-Serial adaptor with the SXKey every day without any problems. I can get the make/model later if you need it.

Jon Williams

I have too, but I always use the FTDI adapters that we use with our other products.

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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax

Jamesx

I use a serial-USB adapter by Keyspan that works pretty well. Occasionally it gets lost, but overall it gets the job done predictably.

Chris Savage

One final thought though since your adapter works sometimes.· Often what happens is that (especially on laptops) the FIFO Buffers need to be disabled in the drivers advanced settings.· Some drivers don't have this setting (for example our FTDI driver) but instead have a Latency Timer setting which can also be lowered to improve communication.· I have seen this happen on some desktops as well so it might be something to look into.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com